John A. Hopps (who preferred to be called 'Jack'),is the Father of Biomedical Engineering in Canada and a scientist whose work has improved the lives of millions of people around the world. He was a leader in the medical application of engineering science for almost half a century and has left an impressive legacy of devices and instruments that have helped people with many types of disabilities. His early research was highlighted by the invention of the world’s first cardiac pacemaker, which he developed in collaboration with Dr. W.G. Bigelow and Dr. J.C. Calahan, at the Banting Institute in Toronto